Boy with Rare, Genetic Syndrome Returns Home to Trinidad After Complex Craniofacial Surgery

A team of surgeons from Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s Craniofacial Center performed a complex reconstructive surgery on a seven year-old child that will improve his vision and ability to eat, as well as his appearance and overall quality of life.

Published on: 07/19/2017

Seven year-old Mesut Hosein, who resides in Trinidad, traveled to Miami with his family for the eight-hour surgery last month.

“We are delighted to be able to provide this life-changing surgery to Mesut and we are eager to see how his new appearance will improve his overall quality of life. This would not have been possible without the collaboration of the entire team of surgeons and medical professionals from the Craniofacial Center” said Dr. Chad Perlyn, pediatric plastic surgeon at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

Mesut was born with a rare genetic condition called Apert Syndrome, in which the bones in the skull grow misshapen and fused together. This condition can cause difficulties with feeding, limitations with vision and can dangerously inhibit brain growth. Some children, including Mesut, are also born with fused bones in their hands and feet that cause a web-like appearance.

Dr. Chad Perlyn and pediatric neurosurgeon Sanjiv Bhatia, along with pediatric plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Wolfe, carefully planned for the complex surgery, which consisted of repositioning the bones in Mesut’s face and skull and creating enough space for new bone growth. A distraction device was placed around the boy’s face during surgery to encourage the new bone growth, which is expected to be completed and then removed in three months.

Dr. Perlyn and Dr. Bhatia first operated on Mesut when he was eight month’s old to alleviate the pressure in his brain. He also underwent surgery two years later to separate the bones in his hands which allowed him to gain better control and dexterity.

The Hosein family are overjoyed to have passed another milestone in Mesut’s medical journey and are eager to return home by the end of the week. When asked how he feels about his new appearance, Mesut says he is happy he is now able to look more like Mesut.

The Craniofacial Center at Nicklaus Children’s is a full-service program for children with craniofacial differences. The program offers comprehensive management of all congenital and acquired craniofacial anomalies, through a comprehensive, multidisciplinary care team of pediatric specialists and subspecialists.

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